Eligible studies were randomised placebo controlled trials (RCTs) where high-dose statin treatment (40mg/day or higher) was administered before PCI. Studies without outcome data were excluded. Eligibility criteria for outcomes were not reported.
Participants in the included studies had a mean age range of 63 to 67 years. Most participants (range 60% to 87%) were male. Participants had cardiac conditions that included stable angina, non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, hypertension and multivessel coronary artery disease. The proportion of participants with diabetes ranged from 19% to 39%. Participants also received other medical therapy such as aspirin, ticlopidine/clopidogrel, glycoprotein inhibitors, beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. Most of the included studies used Atorvastatin (doses ranged from 40mg to 80mg plus an additional 40mg). One study used Rosuvastatin 40mg. Statin therapy was mostly initiated one day before PCI; some participants received therapy seven days before PCI. Outcomes included 30-day post-procedural major adverse cardiac events and incidence of increased creatine kinase-MB (CKMB) and troponin I.
Two reviewers independently and blindly selected studies for inclusion. Disagreements were resolved by consensus.